Hanging Sunshade Sealing Device for Slot Water Ingress
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traffic light umbrellas with cantilever designs face challenges in sealing the slot in the covering, allowing water to pass through due to relative movement between the main arms and the fabric, necessitating improved sealing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A movably coupled sealing device, such as a sealing plate or zipper, is integrated with the main arms to cover the slot, ensuring effective sealing by following the relative movement and maintaining closure even when the umbrella is not fully open, with additional stability features like a bend in the first main arm and secure attachment of the fabric edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the first main arm passes through the covering to enable pivoting movement, then the umbrella can open and close properly, but water can pass through the slot in the covering
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing device acts as an intermediary element between the first main arm and the covering. The sealing device includes a sealing element that contacts the inner side of the covering and a coupling element that connects to the main arm, thereby mediating the interaction between the moving arm and the fabric while preventing water penetration through the slot.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device is designed to be movable relative to the main arm, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the arm pivots. The sealing element can slide along the slot while maintaining contact with the covering, ensuring continuous sealing during the opening and closing motion of the umbrella.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slot in the covering has sufficient longitudinal extent to allow pivoting movement, then the main arms can move freely, but the slot remains open and allows water to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device serves as a mediator that fills the gap created by the necessary slot length. The sealing element extends along the slot and contacts the covering, while the coupling element connects to the main arm, thereby enabling the arm to pivot through the slot while the sealing element blocks water from passing through the same slot.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a brush-like sealing strip is provided in the area of the slit, then sealing is attempted, but the solution needs improvement and is not sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is segmented into distinct functional elements: a sealing element for contacting the covering and preventing water penetration, and a coupling element for connecting to the main arm. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function, with the sealing element providing reliable water protection and the coupling element enabling movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device incorporates dynamic capabilities through its movable design. The sealing element can move along the slot while maintaining contact with the covering, and the coupling element allows the sealing device to follow the motion of the main arm. This dynamic design ensures reliable sealing throughout the entire range of motion, unlike static brush-like sealing strips.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The sunshade has two main arms (18,32) which are arranged laterally with respect to mast (12). A hinged rod (22) is arranged eccentrically with the mast for supporting the cover (10). The main arm (18) is extended from an upper mast bearing (16) through a slit in the cover in opened-up condition of the sunshade, with respect to vertical arm (20) seated in the center of the cover. The main arm (32) is extended from the lower mast bearing (30) below the cover towards the crown (24). The sealing portion (50) is coupled to the main arms for sealing the slit in the cover.